diane and I got To Boston around 9 PM last night.… We took a nice walk around cambridge… And then went back to the hotel . It felt nice to be down in Cambridge again.… We woke up early and went for a run along the Charles. It was one of my favorite things to do when I was working down here. We ran back through Mit campus which was fun. It’s amazing to think I’ve been walking around on this campus for over 44 years

we went back cleaned up checked out of the hotel and then walk over to the Prudential. My boss and a few of my close colleagues we’re having a really nice retirement lunch for ‘Diane and me. It was really wonderful… We had a good time… Felt good to I’ll be back face-to-face

as soon as lunch was over we drove over to the Trillium bar down by the support for the annual lab Christmas/winter celebration.… We had a great crowd of people… I think they might’ve actually been 60 people there. I was really surprised to find that they had done some really nice things in honor of my retirement. there was this wonderful “Yoda” cake… It had Yoda, our group icon which is a parrot… And a ton of science decorations around the side test tubes Adams etc. it was so cute (and tasty too!)

They also had a special beer menu Which included a “mad scientist” beer in honor of me… It was even a Munich beer. Super fun and super  Tasty… I was really choked up that they had Turn all this for me.

It was so nice also catching up with so many of my colleagues. Everyone looks great… Many of us have never met each other…Face-to-face due to Covid. It was really a wonderful afternoon !

There were a few speeches were each of their group leaders got up and told about their stories. David made a special point of congratulating me for my 40 years and pseudo- retirement. He said some really nice things…Which I truly appreciate it… It also felt a little funny being the center of attention.

Then we cut the cake and eat it… It was really pretty tasty I even got the eye

Around 4 o’clock it was time to go… ‘Diane and I Uber back gotten our car and drove back to Vermont. It’s been a quick trip but it felt good. I really appreciate my friends David, Mark, Kate, and Jesse for arranging this… And I really appreciate it Diane for coming along..

nite all, nite sam

-me

Still walking around in a fog since Murray’s passing… Went to work at beta in the morning and had some really good technical meetings. The place just move so much more quickly than any other place I’ve ever worked.…

late afternoon I headed over to farrell chiropract where our friend tim was running a thanksgiving food drive . the deal

was you bring in a bag of food to donate and your treatment for the day is free. the place was nice and busy.. they’d collected so

much food to donate

as soon as I got home from that ‘Diane and I jumped in the car and headed down to Boston. My old groups winter party was on Friday and they specifically asked me to come.… I felt kind of weird leaving… But at the same time it felt good to get away

nite all, nite sam

-me

we are all still trying to integrate that marie has died . we knew it was going to happen .. soon but it doesn’t make it feel any more real.

we went up to be with marie’s family for dinner . it was good to all be together. there was tears and laughter. lots of

good stories .

this will be the first of many such nights

this is a long, long path

nite all, nite sam

-me

Our dear friend Marie died last night around midnight. She is finally free from pain.

Marie was a lovely, brilliant, talented and fun person whom we’ve know her for most of her 31 years . Marie was a gifted artist, musician , athlete and a scholar. she’d recently graduated from med school where she met her husband Luke.

we are all heartbroken ..

please keep marie and her family in your hearts .

nite all, nite sam

-me